Variety of hydrangea plant named ‘JON01’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  hydrangea  plant named ‘JON01’ characterized by its distinctive color of flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea, botanically known as Hydrangea L. macrophylla and further known by the varietal name ‘JON01’. The plant is used primarily as an ornamental. The variety ‘JON01’ has been asexually reproduced by cuttings. The novel flower color was consistent through several generations, and plants remain true to type after multiple generations through asexual reproduction via cuttings. The new variety is a sport mutation of the variety ‘Taube’, discovered in the summer of 2001 by the breeder Jos de Jong in the breeder's nursery, Gebr. De Jong Handelskwekerijen BV in Boskoop, The Netherlands. The parental cultivar is sold under the Breeder's reference name “Taube.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be among the unique characteristics of ‘JON01’. These characteristics distinguish ‘JON01’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Different color of flowers, with the comparator (Taube) being         dark pink to rosy-pink and this variety being dark rosy-red.

Plants of the cultivar ‘JON01’ have not been observed under all possible environmental and cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, length of day, irrigation amount and frequency, and/or fertilizer rate without, however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is depicted in the accompanying colored photographs in which:

FIG. 1 shows a mature potted plant of the new variety;

The photograph depicts the overall appearance of the new hydrangea showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the Detailed Botanical Description, which more accurately describe the actual colors.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the new cultivar.

Botanical Name Hydrangea L. macrophylla Varietal Name ‘JON01’ Parentage: Mutation of “Taube” Asexual Propagation Vegetatively by cuttings Inflorescence: Color midzone 59B/60A (red-purple group); upper surface - RHS 1995 Fertile Flowers star-shaped, diameter 7 mm, 4- 6 petals; petal arrangement separated, color violet (RHS 85B, 1995) and white in a stripe pattern from base to apex, shape narrow cross section deep concave; pedicel length 2.2 mm, color pink Sterile Flowers round-shaped, diameter 50 mm, 4-6 petals, upper profile flat, lower profile slight concave; petal arrangement touching, color of upper side purplish red (RHS 71B, 1995), color of lower side purplish red (RHS 72D, 1995), shape rounded, basel spot absent; pedicel length 20 mm, color pink (RHS 72D, 1995) Development: Resistance to Similar to other H. Disease - macrophylla varieties; examined plants show no signs of pest or disease resistance or tolerance than other hydrangea machrophylla Age and Growing six first year plants raised in Conditions mulch beds, pH of 6.0, in full sun with some afternoon shade. Plants were of generally healthy appearance with some scorching and disfiguration from extremely hot conditions Plant Size Plant Height 300 mm Plant Width 250 mm Habit thick, rounded, branching arrangement irregular from leaf axil Leaf Characteristics Length 110-130 mm Width 82-90 mm Vein pattern prominent inset, cross section convex, undulation of margin slight Color Green upper side (RHS 137A, 1995), green lower side (RHS 137B, 1995), veins green (RHS 144B, 1995). Petioles Texture Smooth Color Green (RHS 144B, 1995) Length 13-18 mm Stem Width 5-8 mm Texture Smooth Color Green (RHS 144C, 1995), with some small burgundy/brown dots Bud Shape Round Color striped violet (RHS 85B, 1995) and white Stamens Number of anthers seven Color of pollen orange Length 1 mm Pistil Number of pistils three Color Yellow Fruit no fruit produced Fragrance very weak to absent, leaf fragrance weak to absent

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

‘JON01’ is a mutation of the taube and differs from taube by the color of the flowers, with the comparator being dark pink to rosy pink and the present invention characterized by flowers being dark rosy-red. 

1. A new and distinct variety of hydrangea plant, substantially as shown and described. 